Event organizers said they changed the date because they weren't selling enough tickets on Thursday nights.

They said in recent years, people skipped out on coming because it was too much to get up for work or school the next morning.

Some people, however, can't help but remember what happened last time Zozobra was held on a Friday night. In 1997, a man was shot and killed on the Santa Fe Plaza after the event. City councilors then moved the burning to a Thursday night, which they decided was less of a party night.

"I think that Thursday night move was a knee-jerk reaction to a very horrible tragedy," said Zozobra organizer Ray Sandoval. "We're very happy to bring Zozobra back to a Friday night. We believe we've taken the precautions we need to to make sure that it's safe and fun."

Santa Fe police say their safety plan is the same no matter what night of the week Zozobra is held and they say they're ready for the Friday night crowds.

"Whether it's Thursday or Friday, we are going to make this event the safest event possible," said Santa Fe police Lt. Andrea Dobyns.

Every single Santa Fe police officer is on duty that night. Some are in uniform, others in street clothes. Also, ushers will be in place to closely watch the entire field. New emergency exits have been installed. Shuttle buses will help transport people from around the city and $1 cab rides will be available.

AGO, SANTA FE CITY LEADERS MOVED THE FAMOUS BURNING OF ZOZOBRA TO THURSDAY NIGHT. NOW IT'S MOVING BACK TO FRIDAYS. SO WHAT ARE THE SAFETY CONCERNS? KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER ALANA GRIMSTAD HAS THE ANSWER, NEW AT TEN. IT'S A MAJOR CHANGE FOR ZOZOBRA. OLD MAN GLOOM WILL BURN ON A FRIDAY NIGHT THIS YEAR. IT'S BEEN HELD ON THURSDAYS SINCE THE LATE 1990'S. We're very happy to bring Zozobra back to a Friday night. BUT, SOME PEOPLE CAN'T HELP BUT THINK BACK TO WHY ZOZOBRA THE EVENT MOVED IN THE FIRST PLACE. They shot at my family members. They shot at us. 17 YEARS AGO...A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE PLAZA AFTER ZOZOBRA BURNED. We heard gun shots and saw a guy fall back dead. SO THE CITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO MOVE ZOZOBRA TO A THURSDAY...NOT AS MUCH OF A PARTY NIGHT. AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY MAJOR INCIDENTS SINCE. I think that Thursday night move was a knee jerk reaction to a very horrible tragedy. SO IS GOING BACK TO A FRIDAY NIGHT, ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND NO LESS, A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MOVE? You have to be prepared. BOTH ZOZOBRA ORGANIZERS... Logistically, our plan will still be the same. AND POLICE BELIEVE EVERYTHING WILL BE O-K. Whether it's Thursday or Friday, we are going to make this even the safest event possible. EVERY SINGLE SANTA FE POLICE OFFICER IS ON DUTY THAT NIGHT. SOME ARE IN UNIFORM, OTHERS IN STREET CLOTHES. ZOZOBRA NOW HAS USHERS TO WATCH THE ENTIRE FIELD. THEY BUILT NEW EMERGENCY EXITS... AND, THE PLAZA WILL BE CLOSED AFTER THE BURNING--SO THERE WON'T BE AN AFTER-PARTY. We believe we've taken the precautions we need to to make sure that it's safe and fun. IN SANTA FE, ALANA GRIMSTAD, KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS. ZOZOBRA ORGANIZERS POINT OUT THAT OLD MAN GLOOM BURNED ON FRIDAYS FOR 73 YEARS WITHOUT ANY BIG PROBLEMS. STILL, THEY'VE HIRED A CONSULTANT TO CREATE A SAFETY STRATEGY. JUST AS